By Mike Arcand
Artists often discover their artistic purpose through teaching at schools or displaying their work in art galleries. But Dan Taylor from Wood County discovered his artistic purpose through his work as a caregiver and his reflective moments of necessity.
Taylor never actually planned to create longhorn skull masterpieces. But now, through his artistic process, Taylor turns history, heritage, and hard work into one-of-a-kind creations. He transforms longhorn skulls into art-adorned masterpieces which now represent Western cultural heritage and personal identity. According to Taylor, his creative approach follows a simple principle: “You got an idea, I’ll try it.” Dan describes his artistic path through words which match the uniqueness of his artwork.
How it All Started
Taylor moved to Wood County from Fort Worth to assist his elderly parents several years back. The long evenings required him to stay awake to monitor his mother, so he started working on something with his hands to keep him productive. The longhorn cow skull he had stored in his workshop caught his attention. Taylor had an idea to cover the skull with leather, based on his previous work on a dashboard restoration on a Peterbilt truck. The first attempt at leather covering a skull resulted in a successful outcome, which led him to create additional pieces. That is how “Cowboy Creations,” his business, was launched.
Taylor started his artistic journey through experimental work with skulls, which led him to develop his artistic skills. The introduction of stained glass scraps by his friend’s mother led Taylor to start using colorful mosaic designs in his artwork. His artistic creations now span from basic natural finishes to complex masterpieces that incorporate glass elements, team emblems, and other thematic elements. But the leather-wrapped skull with its ethereal design still stands as his favorite piece of art.
From Pasture to Art
Dan Taylor obtains his longhorn skulls from a local rancher who raises young cattle in Wood County. He starts every creation with actual animal bones, which he obtains from local ranchers he knows personally. The entire process requires extensive manual labor, because it takes a long time to complete.
The skull arrives at his workshop in its original natural condition before any work begins. Each skull receives its first treatment by being suspended in Taylor’s stock tank while the horn sheaths relax under natural conditions. The skull requires complete cleaning after which he uses his “skull tub,” which is actually his spare bathtub, for this purpose.
The artistic process starts after the bone preparation and drying process is complete. The duration of Taylor’s work on each piece varies between several weeks and multiple months. He spends his time observing the artwork which he has created. The skull’s natural form and its distinctive features determine what transformation it should undergo.
Each piece in his collection exists as a one-of-a-kind creation. According to Taylor, he never creates two pieces that match exactly.
An Artist Rooted in the Old West
Through his artwork, Taylor preserves Western cultural heritage beyond its traditional artistic value. When asked what he would tell someone wanting to get into Western art, he didn’t hesitate. “Be real Western. Study the history. Understand the lifestyle. Know the values.” He points to the old “Code of the West”—a belief system rooted in respect, honesty, hard work, and loyalty. “It’s part of a heritage that’s slipping away,” Taylor says. “A lot of people have forgotten it.”
Where to Find Him
Dan Taylor operates without a website or presence on social media platforms. His artwork reaches customers through word of mouth and occasional appearances at Western events and artisan markets. The high cost of shipping makes it impractical to deliver his artwork to distant locations, so he mainly sells his pieces directly to customers in person.
Taylor hopes to discover the perfect venue which attracts Western enthusiasts who actively live the culture they appreciate. He continues his work of watching, waiting, and creating, while preserving the essence of the Old West through new artistic expressions.
You can reach Dan Taylor by phone at 903-975-5357 or via email at dantaylor2t@gmail.com.